A Westbourne Green man died after drunkenly setting fire to his trousers in the third blaze sparked at his flat.

A Westbourne Green man died after drunkenly setting fire to his trousers in the third blaze sparked at his flat.

Oliver Stanley, 68, of Lord Hills Road, was rescued by the fire brigade after accidentally setting fire to himself with a candle in July after drinking more than two times the legal drink-drive limit.

Westminster Coroner's Court heard that he was treated for 80 per cent burns at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in Fulham Road, Chelsea, but died four hours later.

Andrew King, of Acton fire station, was part of the team called out to his aid. He said: "There were two candles alight at the time of the incident. Upon further investigation, another was found stuck to the duvet."

A report by Kate Donovan, of Westminster Council's housing arm CityWest Homes who manage the property, added there had been two previous fires at Mr Stanley's house. On October 12, 2006, a cigarette that was not put out properly caused a fire, and on January 28 this year a candle set light to part of his bedroom. In both cases, Mr Stanley had to be moved into temporary accommodation while his flat was refurbished.

Westminster coroner Dr Knapman said there was nothing suspicious about Mr Stanley's death and recorded a verdict of accidental death on Wednesday.